TIPS FOR SECURING AN INTERNSHIP IN ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

1. TIPSFORSECURINGANINTERNSHIPIN ARCHITECTURE&DESIGN Whilereceiving a collegeeducation anddegreein designwasenough tostartyour careerinthecreativeindustry,today’smostdemandingprofessionsexpectyou tohave experienceso you can hittheground running aftergraduation. Finding an internshipcan bechallenging,andchoosing which is rightfor you canbe even moredifficult. WhyAreInternshipsImportant? Internships offer design and architecture students the chance to gain practical, hands- on experience while exploring what it’s like to work in the industry, which is invaluable forbuilding a successfulcareer.

2. You’llbeable to apply your formaleducationandtalentstopracticewhileworking alongsideexperiencedprofessionals,learningfromtheir expertiseand gaininginsight intohoworganizationsfunction as awhole.This mayalsogiveyou theskillsyou need to launch yourown businessin thefuture. Internshipsalsoprovidetheopportunity tonetworkandcreateconnectionswith architectsanddesigners,which can bea tremendousassetwhen securing ajob in the future.So,let’sjumpintothe tipson securing an internship within thefield of architecture anddesign. How toLandanInternship ConsiderYour Qualifications,Discipline,and Interests An internship isdesigned toenhanceyour experienceand professionaldevelopment journey.Beforeapplying toasmany firmsaspossible,takea momenttoevaluatethe skillsyou’vegained during your schooling,accomplishments,and previous work experience. You’llalsowanttoconsider whattype ofspecialty firmyou would liketogain experiencein,asdesignfirms usuallyhavea specificfocuswithin their office,whether it’shospitality,residential,or even productdesign,among manyother areas offocus. By understanding your goals,aspirations,andabilities,youcan makethemostofyour search process and determinewhich firms align with whatyou’relooking for. Build a StrongResume andPortfolio Inarchitectureanddesign,your portfoliois a crucialelementinsecuringsuccess.It shouldbethoughtfullydesigned toshowcaseyourbestwork,clearlycommunicateyour potential,and demonstrate your uniquedesign perspectives and talents. Tailoring yourportfolio and resumetoeach firmisessential,including relevant experience and projectsrelatedtotheir practice.Hiringmanagersarebusy,so it’scrucial to communicate your skillsand abilitiesefficientlywhileincluding a minimumofthree projects within theportfolio. FindinganInternship Afterdetermining whattypesofinternshipsare available for your degree,discipline,and interests,it’s time to startlooking.

3. Apartfrombrowsing LinkedIn,Glassdoor,andother jobsites,utilizetheresources available to you through your university network.CareerServices areinvaluable when it comes tojob and internshipplacement.Firmswilloften postinternship openings interested inhiring students,andyour advisorcaneven providerecommendations. Utilizeyouruniversity’snetworktogain connectionsand potentialinternship opportunities. Building a relationship with your Career Advisor will help you stay up to date on upcoming workshops,career fairs,networking events,andmore. Network,Network,Network Networking is a criticalaspectofsecuringan internshipin architecture and design. Attend industryevents,join professionalorganizations,and connectwithprofessionals onLinkedIn.Buildingrelationshipswitharchitectsanddesignerscanlead tojoboffers, recommendations,and referrals.Networking canalsohelpyou gain insightintothe industry and provide you with newideas andperspectives.So,beproactive andput yourselfoutthere! ApplyEarly Onceyou’vedeterminedwhichfirmsyou’reinterestedin,applyassoonaspossible. Highlycompetitivefieldslikearchitectureand designoftenhavehundredsofprospects vying for limited positions,sobetheearly birdto increaseyour chances ofsuccess. InterviewWell Thekeytoasuccessfulinterviewiseffectivelycommunicatingyourskills,experience, and showing whatyou canoffer thefirm.Interviewerswantto know thatyouare confidentand capable,whilebeingopen-minded and ready tolearn.Researchthe organization’svalues,culture,and mission,practiceinterviewquestions,and beready to articulate your design philosophy and creativeprocess. Asking informedquestionsaboutthepositionandcompanyhelps toshowyour passion, initiative,and eagerness–these are qualitiesthatarehighly valued intheindustry. InternshipSuccessTips After you’ve secured your internship,your work is justbeginning.Here’s howto getthe mostoutofyour experience.

4. Network:Talking to colleagues,industryprofessionals,friends,family and others in your networkcan lead to job offers,recommendations,and referrals in the future. • Askquestions:Internshipsareanopportunityto learnfromprofessionalsin the • field.Asking questions and beingopento feedbackwill help you learn how organizationswork,along with improving andbuilding on your foundational knowledge. • Explore:An internshipis your chance to put your skills to workandsee theday- • to-daywork.Try to takeon newresponsibilitiesandprojects to broaden your horizonsanddeterminewhatfacetoftheindustryyouenvisionfor your long- term career. • Be asponge!Soakupas much knowledge aboutyour field aspossible.Takethe • timetoobserveyourcolleagues’communicationstyles,workprocesses,and designmethodology.Intheprocess,you’llgeta betteridea ofwhether it’s somethingyou wantto pursue. • NewSchoolofArchitectureand Design • AtNewSchool,our learning-by-doing methodologymeansweencouragestudents to internassoonas their abilitiesandcircumstancesallow.Someinternshipsearncreditor pay,butall expose youto industrybestpracticesandenhance your professional experience and network. • Whether pursuing aBachelor ofInteriorArchitectureand Designor oneofourgraduate architectureprograms,internships willhelpyou gain industry-readyskillsto fuelyour futuresuccess.With thehelpofour Career Services office,you can securepositions tailoredto your educationalgoals and aimedatfutureemployment. • And becauseSan Diego is in the hubofthedesign and architectureindustries,you can choosefroma varietyofcompaniesand firmsrepresentingthefullspectrumofcreative employment. • Getin touchwith our EnrollmentTeamand discover how our award-winning architecture &designschool can turn yourpassion intoprofessionalexcellence!